Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have announced the addition of four new hires to their front office staff for the upcoming 2018 season. Hal Hansen, Ken Smith, Chris Dillon and Ian Gatehouse have all joined the Patriots team and are currently working to ensure the 20th season of baseball at TD Bank Ballpark will be the best one yet.

Hal Hansen joins the Patriots as the team’s new Director of Marketing. The Manasquan, New Jersey resident enters his first season in Somerset with 14 years of service working in minor league baseball – all with the Lakewood Blue Claws. Hansen began his time there as the Assistant Director of Ticket Sales and an original member of the front office before transitioning into the Director of Marketing and Promotions: a role he held for his final 10 seasons down the shore.

“After 14 years with one organization, I am very excited to join a new culture and a new community,” said Hansen. “There is a new energy around this team and I am ready to help out any way that I can.”

Ken Smith begins his time in Somerset after spending the last three years with the New Jersey Devils in sales and service. The current Garwood resident takes over as the Patriots’ new Corporate Sales Manager and will oversee the team’s digital displays.

“The Patriots have been super welcoming so far,” said Smith with a smile. “It has been an easy transition for me and my family to come into baseball – a sport that I played as a kid. I love how versatile the organization is and how I now have an opportunity to try my hand in many different departments.”

The Patriots are also welcoming in two new Group Sales Managers to their team this year. Chris Dillon and Ian Gatehouse join the bullpen for their first years with the team. Dillon, a Duquesne University alum, carries two years of service as an Account Executive with Bethlehem Steel FC into his first campaign with the six-time Atlantic League champions.

“It’s great to be here with a great organization,” said Dillon. “I’m very excited to begin a new chapter in Somerset.”

Gatehouse, a recent graduate of Johnson and Wales University, was brought on by the team after holding sales internships with the New York Islanders, New York Yankees, New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.

“I feel like it is a family already,” added Gatehouse. “Everyone has been very welcoming here so far. I am now ready to take the next step in my career.”

All four new employees have already begun their tenure in Somerset and are open for business.

The Somerset Patriots recently completed their 20th Season Anniversary in which they led the Atlantic League in attendance and made their 14th appearance in the playoffs. The Somerset Patriots will welcome their 7,000,000th fan in their 20th season at TD Bank Ballpark in 2018. The schedule for 2018 has officially been released. For more information about the 2018 season, please visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.

For more information regarding the Atlantic League, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.